Erica Austin is keeping the faith.
As 2020 comes to a close, she is determined to begin the new year with her family: Her Springfield family.
For the last seven years, Austin has organized the community Kwanzaa celebration that pays homage to African and African American culture beginning Dec. 26. This year, because of the pandemic, the gathering will take place virtually.
The children s dances and choir will still be a big part of the celebration, as they have been each year. However, this year, everything will be recorded in small groups at the Hoogland Center For The Arts on Sunday.
On Jan. 1 the final day of the weeklong celebration the video of the community’s annual gathering will be available on Facebook.